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The project – the Langeid Axe reborn

A detailed description of the various stages and processes involved with the axe-making project.

The haft of the Langeid Axe is made from cherry wood with a band of brass. We ended up with a 117 cm long haft, slightly longer than the few preserved hafts on which we based our work.

Once the replica axe had been hafted and the edge sharpened, it was tested on a pig’s leg. This type of blow challenges the robustness of the cutting edge as it hits the strong thigh bone.

Our objective was to make as true a copy as possible of the Langeid Axe through faithful reconstruction. We had to balance this objective against the many processes involved and other factors such as our limited experience and restrictions on the resources and time available.

Originally, the axe-making project was based on a wish to present the original axe to the public through "a conversation with the researcher ", a dissemination concept that would allow the public a close-up view. This developed into something more.

A lot went well, but not everything went according to plan during the axe-making process. We tried our hardest to avoid using modern tools, but regrettably the pure bog ore soul of the axe head was slightly tarnished by some modern welding and an angle grinder.